In honor of the 20th anniversary of ScoobyDoo, co-writer James Gunn has shared a sweet behind the scenes image and story of the beloved movie.
James Gunn has shared a behind-the-scenes photo from his 2002 live-action Scooby-Doo film in honor of its 20th anniversary. Gunn co-wrote the script for the adaptation of the classic Hanna-Barbera series. Matthew Lillard, Linda Cardellini, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Freddie Prinze Jr. starred as the beloved members of Mystery Inc. Meanwhile, Neil Fanning voiced Scooby himself.
Released on June 14, 2002, Scooby-Doo was directed by Raja Gosnell, with Gunn and Craig Titley providing the script. In this reimagining, an older, exhausted Mystery Inc. breaks up due to issues between Fred , Daphne , and Velma , leaving Shaggy and Scooby alone with the Mystery Machine. Two years later, the gang is reunited when they are each called to a horror-themed resort called Spooky Island in order to uncover what is brainwashing the young, rowdy tourists into zombies.
#ScoobyDoo was released 20 ago today. Saturday I got a call from the head of Warner Bros at 5:30 am, telling me we were going to have the biggest June opening ever. My life changed in one moment; I'm incredibly grateful for that & everything since. pic.twitter.com/Ydrk0f7tnjDespite negative critical reception, the film and its sequel, Scooby-Doo: Monsters Unleashed, have their share of famous fans according to Gunn, as both films have gathered a cult following.
Even now, 20 years after its release, Scooby-Doo remains beloved for many reasons, including its casting and the more risque humor tucked into a script aimed at an older audience. Plus, it led to Gunn's career, which now encompasses two major superhero franchises, flourishing. Scooby-Doo continues to inform the franchise to this day, from Lillard taking on the role of Shaggy in subsequent animated series, to HBO commissioning an R-rated Velma spinoff series created by Mindy Kaling.